Festival Fellows

STRING FELLOWSHIP

 

2025 Grant Park Music Festival String Fellowship Auditions

Video Application Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025

GUIDELINES

  • FELLOWSHIP DATES: June 9 - August 2, 2025
  • ELIGIBLE MUSICIANS: emerging professional string players from populations historically underrepresented in American symphony choruses, including but not limited to underrepresented racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic groups, who are attending or have graduated from a college, university or conservatory level music program
  • AVAILABLE FELLOWSHIPS: Violin (2), Viola, Cello
  • FELLOWSHIP SALARY: Minimum of $1,000 per week (approximately $8,000 total)
  • LIVE AUDITION DATE FOR FINALISTS: Friday, March 21, 2025.  Applicants travelling over 50 miles are eligible for travel support of up to $250.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

  • Rehearse and perform three programs with the Grant Park Orchestra & Chorus

  • Perform with conductors Christopher Bell, Giancarlo Guerrero, and Larry Loh

  • Perform with guest artists Jennifer Koh, Jana McIntyre, John Holiday, and Troy Cook

  • Perform in master classes for J'Nai Bridges and John Holiday

  • Perform in high profile recitals and chamber concerts as a quartet in neighborhoods throughout Chicago

  • Receive individual and quartet coaching with Festival artistic leadership and members of the Grant Park Chorus

  • Improve your networking skills and learn insider tips through professional development sessions with industry professionals on a wide-range of topics, including audition best practices, resume and branding development, managing finances, and body wellness

  • Work on public speaking and learn to present music to all ages as you train and serve as a visiting teaching artist for the Festival's Community Engagement programs

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Be currently enrolled in, or a graduate of, a college, university, or conservatory level music program
  • Identify as an emerging professional vocalist from populations historically underrepresented in American symphonic choruses, including but not limited to underrepresented racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic groups.
  • Fellows must commit to the entire duration of the program (July 21 - August 16, 2025). Vocal Fellows will also be expected to return to perform at our GPMF Advocate for the Arts Awards in October 2025 (2-day commitment and flight/hotel covered)
  • Candidate must be legally eligible to work in the United States and provide current visa.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival and the Vocal Fellowship Program, please email Chris Collins at chris.collins@gpmf.org

 

VIOLIN

INTRODUCTION VIDEO

Please tell us your name, city, and why you believe you should be part of the String Fellowship program. Please do not exceed one minute in your introductory video.

SOLO

First movement from a major 19th or 20th century concerto (Exposition only)

EXCERPTS

  • MENDELSSOHN - Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo
    (Measures 17 - 99)
    MONTGOMERY - Strum (for sring orchestra)
    (Measures 225 to end, including 2 measure solo.  Excerpt should be performed non-divisi throughout)
  • MOZART - Symphony No. 39, 1st movement
    (Measure 1 - downbeat Measure 14)
    (Measure 26 - Measure 90)
  • STRAUSS - Don Juan
    (Measures 1 - 62)
    VAUGN WILLIAMS - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Solos
    (1 measure after Rehearsal J to 6 measures after Rehearsal K)
    (1 measure after Rehearsal U to 8 measures after Rehearsal W)

Click HERE to download audition booklet with excerpts.

Judges would prefer to view concerto in one video and excerpts all together in another video if possible. This can be recorded all in one take or combined into one video, but MUST be from the same recording session. There is no editing during the excerpts allowed. You have the option to submit a second video of excerpts if necessary.

VIOLA

INTRODUCTION VIDEO

Please tell us your name, city, and why you believe you should be part of the String Fellowship program. Please do not exceed one minute in your introductory video.

SOLO

First movement from a major 19th or 20th century concerto (Exposition only)

EXCERPTS

  • ABELS - Delights and Dances, Solo Viola Part
    (Pickup to Measure 8 to Downbeat of Measure 18)
    (Measures 258 - 278)
  • BEETHOVEN - Symphony No. 5, 2nd movement
    (Measures 1-10)
    (Measures 49 - 59)
    (Measures 98 - 106)
  • MENDELSSOHN - Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo
    (Beginning to Rehearsal D)
  • STRAUSS - Don Juan
    (Beginning to Rehearsal B)
  • VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Solos
    (Rehearsal L to 6 Measures after Rehearsal L)
    (2 measures after Rehearsal U until 1 measure before Rehearsal X)

Click HERE to download audition booklet with excerpts.

Judges would prefer to view concerto in one video and excerpts all together in another video if possible. This can be recorded all in one take or combined into one video, but MUST be from the same recording session. There is no editing during the excerpts allowed. You have the option to submit a second video of excerpts if necessary.

CELLO

INTRODUCTION VIDEO

Please tell us your name, city, and why you believe you should be part of the String Fellowship program. Please do not exceed one minute in your introductory video.

SOLO

First movement from a major century concerto (Exposition only)

EXCERPTS

  • ABELS - Delights and Dances, Solo Quartet Part
    (Opening to measure 8)
    (Measures 258 - downbeat of measure 278)
  • BEETHOVEN - Symphony No. 5, 2nd movement
    (Measures 1-10)
    (Measures 49 - 59)
    (Measures 98 - 106)
  • MENDELSSOHN - Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo
    (Rehearsal C to Rehearsal D)
    (Rehearsal N to Rehearsal O)
  • STRAUSS - Don Juan
    (Beginning to measure 10)
    (Rehearsal A to Rehearsal D)
  • VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Solos
    (Rehearsal M to 4 Measures after Rehearsal P)
    (2 measures after Rehearsal U until 1 measure before Rehearsal X)

Click HERE to download audition booklet with excerpts.


Judges would prefer to view concerto in one video and excerpts all together in another video if possible. This can be recorded all in one take or combined into one video, but MUST be from the same recording session. There is no editing during the excerpts allowed. You have the option to submit a second video of excerpts if necessary. 

 

Application and audition materials for all instruments are due no later than 11:59pm Central Time on Friday, February 14, 2025.

APPLY NOW

 

Something I think back to often is the welcoming nature of the musicians and staff at GPMF. That kind of loving atmosphere is, in my opinion, the best way to make incredible music. So anytime I play with an orchestra or ensemble, I look for this energy and care within the organization.

—Sarah Martin, 2013 String Fellow